Q. I am a registered lobbyist and have been asked to serve on a state board. Are there any laws preventing me from serving?

A. Generally, there are no laws preventing a registered lobbyist from serving on a state board or commission. However, many states have laws regulating the board service of registered lobbyists.

For example, in South Carolina a lobbyist is prohibited from serving as a member on any state board or commission. Illinois also has a general prohibition; however, their prohibition extends to the spouses and immediate family members of a lobbyist who are living at home. Such individuals are prohibited from serving on a board, commission, authority, or task force authorized by state law or executive order.

Other states only prohibit a registered lobbyist from serving on certain boards or commissions. In Ohio, both legislative and executive branch lobbyists are prohibited from serving on the Ohio Elections Commission. In New York, lobbyists are prohibited from serving as a member of the Joint Commission on Public Ethics and the Legislative Advisory Council.

Some states only prevent lobbyists from serving on boards that could possibly benefit themselves or their employers. In Tennessee, lobbyists are prohibited from serving as a member of a board, commission, or governmental entity with jurisdiction to regulate the business endeavors or professional activities of any employer of the lobbyist. In Wisconsin, lobbyists are prohibited from serving on a state board or commission related to who and what they are lobbying.

Every jurisdiction’s rules on lobbyists serving on state boards and commissions is different. Before agreeing to serve on a board or commission, you should consult that jurisdiction’s ethics commission.

You can directly submit questions for this feature, and we will select those most appropriate and answer them here. Send your questions to: marketing@stateandfed.com.

(We are always available to answer questions from clients that are specific to your needs, and we encourage you to continue to call or e-mail us with questions about your particular company or organization. As always, we will confidentially and directly provide answers or information you need.) Our replies to your questions are not legal advice. Instead, these replies represent our analysis of laws, rules, and regulations.

Lobbying:

“Capitol Book Club, with a Bonus” by Ben Protess and Eric Lipton for New York Times

“Harrisburg Lobbying Costs on the Rise” by Robert Swift for Citizens Voice

“Ex-Lawmakers Predict Post-Election Return of Earmarks” by Katelyn Plantz for National Journal

“Complaint: D.C. law firm illegally lobbied Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi” by Michael Van Sickler for Tampa Bay Times

Ethics:

“California Lawmakers’ Campaign Credit-Card Spending Often Lacks Disclosure, Sacramento Bee Review Finds” by Jim Miller for Sacramento Bee

“How Political Donors Are Changing Statehouse News Reporting” by Daniel Vock for Governing

“Ex-Homestead Mayor Now a Convicted Felon” by David Ovalle for Miami Herald

Elections:

“Rogue Pastors Endorse Candidates, but IRS Looks Away” by Rachael Bade for Politico

“Cell Phones, Social Media and Campaign 2014” by Aaron Smith for Pew Research Center

Campaign Finance:

“Election 2014: A new level of collaboration between candidates and big-money allies” by Matea Gold for Washington Post

“Surplussing: How donors, parties legally circumvent campaign contribution caps” by Austin Jenkins for KPLU

Lobbying

“Hard-Nosed Advice from Veteran Lobbyist: ‘Win Ugly or Lose Pretty’” by Eric Lipton for New York Times

“At Fast-Growing Brookings, Donors May Have an Impact on Research Agenda” by Tom Hamburger and Alexander Becker for Washington Post

“After Probe, Ferguson Seeks Limits on Former AG Staff Lobbying” by Jim Brunner for Seattle Times

Campaign Finance

“A Flood of Late Spending on Midterm Elections, from Murky Sources” by Nicholas Confessore and Derek Willis for New York Times

“Straw into Gold: Candidates Trading Leadership PAC Dollars for Campaign Cash” by Viveca Novak and John Sugden for The Center for Public Integrity

“Judge Refuses to Toss Campaign-Finance Allegations against AG” by Howard Fischer (Capitol News Service) for East Valley Tribune

“Judge Hears Arguments in Campaign Coordination Case” by Bruce Vielmetti for Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

Ethics

“Firebrand Alabama Republican Collides With Ethics Law He Espoused” by Campbell Robertson and Alan Blinder for New York Times

“Staff Lawyer Sues Georgia Ethics Commission” by Lisa Coston for Courthouse News

“SC House Moves to Limit Speaker’s Terms, Ban Some PACs” by Cassie Cope for The State

Elections

“Cancel the Midterms” by David Schanzer and Jay Sullivan for New York Times

“Senate Control May Be Decided by Runoff Votes in Louisiana and Georgia” by Campbell Robertson and Sheryl Gay Stolberg for New York Times

“K Street Descends on Kentucky” by Anna Palmer for Politico

“State Supreme Court Orders Election for Harrell’s Seat to Continue Tuesday Pending Review” by Seanna Adcox (Associated Press) for Greenfield Daily Reporter

Lobbying

“Lobbying World” in The Hill.

Hawaii’s SB 2629 Lobbyist Disclosure Bill passes House: “Hawaii lawmakers plow through mountain of bills” by Cathy Bussewitz and Sam Eifling  (Associated Press) in The Republic.

Wisconsin: “Dem legislator: Lobbyists don’t bother talking to us anymore” by Jack Craver in The Cap Times.

Campaign Finance

“Bitcoin players knock on Washington doors” by Jennifer Liberto in CNN Money.

“FCC: All Stations Must Post Political Files Starting In July” by John Eggerton in Broadcasting & Cable.

“Hillary Clinton knocks Supreme Court’s campaign finance decisions” by Dan Merica on CNN.

“Do Campaign Finance Violations Warrant Jail Time? | A Question of Ethics” by C. Simon Davidson in Roll Call.

Minnesota: “Minnesota’s limits on campaign donations to be challenged” by Rachel E. Stassen-Berger in the Star Tribune.

Ohio: “House expects vote on Ohio midterm budget bill” by Julie Carr Smyth (Associated Press) on WTRF.com.

Ethics

Delaware: “Lobbyist fees proposed to fund ethics office” by Jonathan Starkey in The News Journal.

Missouri: “Legislators differ on accepting gifts from lobbyists” by Allyssa D. Dudley in the Salem News.

South Carolina: “SC House panel wants to create larger ethics commission” by Andrew Shain in The State.

 

Lobbying

“Lobbyists kick in for Ready for Hillary” by Anna Palmer in Politico.

Alabama: “Lobbying for former Alabama Legislature limited” by The Associated Press in the Daily Press.

Kentucky: “Ethics Reporter: Health care lobbying tops spending list first two months of 2014 session” by the Kentucky Legislative Ethics Commission in KyForward.

New York: “Lobbyists ready to get to work now that state budget is completed” by Tom Precious in The Buffalo News.

Wisconsin: “Lobbyist bill draws sharp reactions” by Bill Lueders in The Dunn County News.

Campaign Finance

“High Court Rejects New Campaign Finance Case” by The Associated Press in Time.

“Nancy Pelosi pushes campaign finance reforms” by Lauren French in Politico.

“John Roberts’s rules of money in politics” by Josh Gerstein in Politico.

“Campaign finance ruling shakes political world” by James R. Carroll in The Courier-Journal.

“Rep. Robert Pittenger Pays $31,000 Fine” by Kent Cooper in Roll Call.

California:  “How Will the Change in Campaign Finance Law Affect California?” by Scott Shafer in The California Report.

Connecticut: “Foleys Plead Guilty In Campaign Scheme Linked To Rowland” by Edmund H. Mahony and Jon Lender in The Courant.

Michigan: “Election campaign finance reports in Kalamazoo County to go online under Michigan pilot program” by Alex Mitchell in Michigan Live.

Ethics

“FEC Member Says it Aloud: We’re Dysfunctional” by Charles S. Clark in Government Executive.

Colorado: “Colorado ethics group hears arguments in Gov. Hickenlooper complaint” by Lynn Bartels in The Denver Post.

Georgia: “Former State Ethics Commission Director testifies in court” by Richard Elliot in WSB TV News.

Georgia: “Former ethics attorney said bosses didn’t want deep Deal investigation” by Aaron Gould Sheinin in The Atlanta Journal-Constitution.

Missouri: “Mo. Senate panel endorses ethics law overhaul” by The Associated Press in The Rolla Daily News.

Pennsylvania: “States look harder at rules on gifts to lawmakers” by Amy Worden in The Inquirer.

Rhode Island: “R.I. lawmakers debate ethics oversight bills, hold for further study” by Randal Edgar in The Providence Journal.

West Virginia: “Ethics commission talks board changes” by Phil Kabler in the Charleston Gazette.

 

Lobbying

“Lobbying World” in The Hill.

“Corporate Lobbyists Assail Tax Overhaul They Once Cheered” by Eric Lipton and Jonathan Weisman in The New York Times.

“Revolving door spins for Connecticut delegation” by Ana Radelat in the Connecticut Mirror.

California: “Indicted lobbyist keeps clients, political access” by Mitch Blacher in ABC 10 San Diego News.

Campaign Finance

“$100K in Campaign Funds Given To Charity” by Kent Cooper in Roll Call.

New Jersey: “Christie’s Contractors: Backers Barred From Donating Found Loophole” by Eliza Newlin Carney in Roll Call.

Pennsylvania: “Stilp alleges in lawsuit that ethics rulings give incumbents a re-election advantage” by Jan Murphy in The Patriot News.

Ethics

“FEC opens case on Ron Paul 2012 presidential campaign” by Kevin Diaz in the Houston Chronicle.

California: “California senator suggests an ethics ombudsman” by Jim Miller in The Sacramento Bee.

District of Columbia: “Scandal-plagued DC mayor ousted in primary” by Rebecca Shabad in The Hill.

Georgia: “Jury hears opening statements in ethics trial” by Kate Brumback in The Telegraph.

Louisiana: “Ethics bill spurred by ‘Louisiana Purchased’ series passes Senate: Snapshot” by Lauren McGaughy in The Times-Picayune.

Missouri: “Missouri bill would require lawmakers to pay lobbyists back for gifts” by The Associated Press in the Kansas City Star.

Pennsylvania: “Pa. lawmaker tells how he declined bizarre cash offer made in Rotunda” by Brad Bumsted in the Tribune-Review.

 

Lobbying

“Bottom Line” in The Hill.

“K Street firm takes major hit in ruling” by Megan R. Wilson in The Hill.

Florida: “FPL, three other electric utilities, influence legislature through lobbying and campaign donations, report finds” by Susan Salisbury in The Palm Beach Post.

Texas: “Six former Patton Boggs partners open Dallas office of McGuireWoods” by Catherine Ho in The Washington Post.

Campaign Finance

California: “San Diego County’s system for tracking campaign donations called outdated” by Joe Yerardi on KPBS.

District of Columbia: “D.C. mayor in primary fight as ’10 campaign funds probed” by William Selway (Bloomberg News) in the Chicago Tribune.

Nevada: “Despite Disclosure, Dark Money Stays Dark in Nevada” by Robert Maguire in OpenSecrets.org.

New York: “New York Comptroller DiNapoli: Public Campaign Financing Effort ʹFumbledʹ” by Erica Orden in The Wall Street Journal.

Ethics

“Members of Congress Buying and Selling Stocks” by Kent Cooper in Roll Call.

Colorado: “Colorado ethics group hears arguments in Gov. Hickenlooper complaint” by Lynn Bartels in The Denver Post.

Georgia: “Trial begins in Ga. ethics commission suit” by Christina A. Cassidy (Associated Press) in The Washington Times.

Georgia: “Judge: Governor doesn’t have to testify in ethics case” by Aaron Gould Sheinin in The Atlanta Journal-Constitution.

 

Lobbying

“Former White House lawyer defends Obama limits on lobbying, hints at possible changes” by Holly Yeager in The Washington Post.

“Obama alumni join ranks of ‘unlobbyists’” by Mike Dorning in the Concord Monitor.

“Adelson’s Las Vegas Sands Hires Blanche Lincoln” by Kent Cooper in Roll Call.

“House Ethics Reviewing Gutierrez Contract With Illinois Lobbyist” by Emma Dumain in Roll Call.

“Putin’s lobbyists escape sanctions” by Kevin Bogardus in The Hill.

Connecticut: “Lobbyists command millions from Conn. Industries” by Neil Vigdor in the Stamford Advocate.

Missouri: “Our million-dollar Legislature” opinion piece by State Rep. John Wright in the St. Louis Post-Dispatch.

Campaign Finance

“Forget the Dictionary, Super PACs Aren’t New” by Francis Barry in Bloomberg View.

Louisiana: “Feds asked to look into super PAC backing Vitter” in The Advocate.

New York: “Campaign finance reform benefits women” opinion piece by Andrea Stewart-Cousins and Letitia James in The Journal News.

New York: “Business interests against NY public campaign financing want to preserve their influence (Commentary)” by Lawrence Norden in The Post-Standard.

Ethics

Kentucky: “Former state official assessed ethics fine” by The Associated Press in the Bangor Daily News.

New Jersey: “Christie’s campaign treasurer goes to bat for underfunded agency: The Auditor” in The Star Ledger.

Pennsylvania: “Gift ban urged after report of Pa. lawmakers getting cash” by Mark Scolforo (Associated Press) in the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.

State Legislative Sessions

Idaho: “Idaho Legislature wraps up with pay raises at the top” by Betsy Z. Russell in The Spokesman-Review.

Virginia: “McAuliffe proposes expanding Medicaid in two-year pilot” by Olympia Meola and Jim Nolan in the Richmond Times-Dispatch.

Elections

Rhode Island: “House speaker candidates courting votes” by Randal Edgar in the Providence Journal.

Redistricting

Pennsylvania: “Legislators clash over district boundary changes” by Robert Swift in The Times-Tribune.

 

On March 13, a bill was introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives requiring increased disclosure from lobbyists and public officials. U.S. Rep. Mike Quigley introduced the Transparency in Government Act.

The act, House Resolution 4245, makes several changes to the current Lobbyist Disclosure Act (LDA), including:

• Establishing the Lobbyist Disclosure Enhancement Act;
• Removing references to the IRS definition of lobbying, leaving only the LDA definition of lobbying;
• Changing the requirement for lobbyist registration by removing the current 20 percent work time threshold; and
• Requiring:
  • Lobbyists to report political contributions quarterly rather than semiannually;
  • Lobbyists to complete ethics training within six months of being hired and once every five years thereafter;
  • Lobbyists to register within 10 days, rather than 45 days, of making a lobbying contact;
  • Organizations that hire a lobbyist intending to make more than one lobbying contact to register; and
  • The clerk of the House and the secretary of the Senate to develop a system that assigns an identification number to each lobbyist.

The bill also amends the Freedom of Information Act and makes other changes regarding disclosure and transparency in federal contracting and the three branches of federal government.

In his press release, Quigley states, “The Transparency in Government Act shines a light on every branch of the federal government, strengthening our democracy and promoting an efficient, effective and open government.”

Photo of U.S. Rep. Mike Quigley courtesy of the U.S. House of Representatives website on Wikimedia Commons.

 

Lobbying

“Lobbyists stick with Putin” by Kevin Bogardus in The Hill.

Canada: “Lobbyists looking to give back with new pro bono advocacy organization” by Mark Burgess in The Hill Times.

Colorado: “Investigation: Lobbyists skipped $90K in fines to Colorado” by Brandon Rittiman on KUSA 9News.

Oregon: “Longest-serving lobbyist dies” by Peter Wong in the Statesman Journal.

Campaign Finance

“In midterms, a battle of billionaires” by Laura Barron-Lopez in The Hill.

California: “San Diego’s Ethics Commission Seeks To Rein In Independent Committees” by Joe Yerardi in KPBS.

Florida: “Politicians enjoy winter in South Florida – for raising money” by Anthony Man in the Sun Sentinel.

Massachusetts: “Senate passes campaign finance reporting bill” by Sara Brown in The Eagle-Tribune.

New York: “Senate public finance provision raises questions” by Karen DeWitt on WRVO Public Media.

Pennsylvania: “Between a website and a hard place: On campaign finance rules” by Mary Wilson on WITF.

Utah: “Utah lawmakers OK campaign finance reporting bill” by The Associated Press in the San Francisco Chronicle.

Ethics

U.S. House Committee on Ethics: “Ethics Committee Gets New Staff Director” by Matt Fuller in Roll Call.

“Congress Gets Away With Free Foreign Trips” by Kent Cooper in Roll Call.

“Former Rep. Edolphus Towns Driven To Personal Use of Campaign Funds” by Kent Cooper in Roll Call.

Mississippi: “Bills could strengthen access to Miss. public info” by The Associated Press in the San Francisco Chronicle.

From the State Legislatures

Idaho: “Idaho’s substitute law unique” by Betsy Z. Russell in The Spokesman-Review.

 

Lobbying

“Roscoe Bartlett, defense lobbyist” by Austin Wright in Politico.

“Lobbying Firm Patton Boggs Fights for Itself” by Jennifer Smith and Elizabeth Williamson in The Wall Street Journal.

Canada: “Lawmakers top lobbyists in annual hockey game” by JulieAnn McKellogg and Emily Heil in The Washington Post.

New Jersey: “Hospitals were top spenders on lobbying in 2013, report says” by Susan K. Livio in The Star-Ledger.

Wyoming: “Editorial board: Wyoming lobbyists laws too weak, unenforced” in the Casper Star-Tribune.

Campaign Finance

“Comcast spreads cash wide on Capitol Hill” by Tony Romm in Politico.

Illinois: “Lawsuit challenging campaign financing limits won’t affect 2014” by Kurt Erikson in the Herald & Review.

Iowa: “Is anonymous donating the next big thing in Iowa politics?” by Mike Wiser in the Globe Gazette.

Louisiana:  “Campaign finance bills filed for legislative session that begins March 10: List” by Dan Swenson in The Times-Picayune.

North Carolina: “Dark money comes to light” by Mark Binker in WRAL News.

Utah: “Senate panel endorses campaign finance reform bills” by Dennis Romboy in the Deseret News.

Ethics

California: “California Legislature considers ethics reform bills” by Patrick McGreevy in the Los Angeles Times.

New York: “Assemb. William Boyland guilty on all counts” by John Riley and Anthony M. Destefano in Newsday.

South Carolina: “Book’s sale at park shops needles Sheheen campaign” by Rudolph Bell in The Greenville News.

West Virginia: “Bill would change ethics commission” by Phil Kabler in the Charleston Gazette.

Wisconsin: “Controversial election bills find little support in state Senate” by Matthew DaFour in the Wisconsin State Journal.

Legislative Sessions

Virginia: “Bills of note that passed in the 2014 General Assembly session” by The Associated Press in The Loudoun Times.

Government Tech and Social Media

Minnesota: “Minnesota Announces Civic Tech Legislation” by Sam Roudman in TechPresident.

West Virginia: “Onlookers often rely on social media for session updates” by Mandi Cardosi in The State Journal.

 

 

 

 

 

National:

Outrage Over Sexist Remarks Turns Into a Political Fund-Raising Tool

New York Times – Amy Choziak | Published: 2/27/2014

With a record number of women in Congress and dozens more on the ballot, gender-charged attacks – stoked by the growth of social media and small-dollar Internet donations – can generate campaign contributions in an instant. In the past few months, Republicans have likened Democratic U.S. Senate candidate Alison Lundergan Grimes to an “empty dress” and referred to a pregnant woman as a “host.” Democrats blast these comments out to supporters to build voter lists and drum up donations.

Federal:

Democrats Embrace Super PACs, but Some Fear Lack of Focus on Midterm Elections

Washington Post – Matea Gold | Published: 2/28/2014

There is now a near-universal view among top donors and strategists that the Democratic Party needs its own super PACs to compete with the growing role such groups are playing on the right. But there are disagreements over how to use the independent organizations. Some say Priorities USA Action and other groups that can accept unlimited contributions are too focused on the 2016 presidential race and a potential Hillary Clinton candidacy, even as Democrats face a costly, uphill fight this year to retain a thin Senate majority and gain seats in the House.

Group Close to Obama Says It Erred on Donation

New York Times – Nicholas Confessore | Published: 3/4/2014

Organizing for Action, a political advocacy group backed by President Barack Obama, said its executive director set up a White House meeting for a businessperson entangled in a lawsuit with a federal agency, who then pledged to raise $100,000 for the group one day after the meeting. The organization also said on three occasions its fundraisers or other employees had tried to steer potentially controversial donations to allied liberal groups that did not disclose their donors.

From the States and Municipalities:

California – Senate Dems to Propose New Limits on Gifts, Fundraising

Sacramento Bee – Laurel Rosenhall | Published: 3/5/2014

Countering a series of scandals, California Senate Democrats plan to propose sweeping changes to the Political Reform Act, including stricter limits on accepting gifts and campaign contributions. Sources said the legislation will cut roughly in half the $440 annual limit on gifts to elected state officials, and prohibit candidates from holding political fundraisers at the homes of lobbyists.

Colorado – Critics See Proposed Ethics Commission Cue as Bad Medicine

Colorado Independent – John Tomasic and Tessa Cheek | Published: 3/2/2014

A bill that aims to fix the Colorado Independent Ethics Commission comes as the number of complaints filed with the panel continues to grow. House Bill 1258 seeks to bolster protections for state employees who are brought before the commission. It would ensure they are provided with tax-paid legal counsel and have the right to sue individual members of the commission for damages. Critics say the measure would do more harm than good.

Colorado – First and Only Director of Colorado Ethics Commission Steps Down

Denver Post – Lynn Bartels | Published: 3/1/2014

Colorado Independent Ethics Commission Executive Director Jane Feldman has submitted her resignation, effective at the end of March. Complaints about the commission have led to legislation being introduced this session. That would affect its operations.

Florida – Special Interests Pay Their Way onto Florida’s Legislative Agenda

Bradenton Herald – Mary Ellen Klas (Miami Herald) | Published: 3/3/2014

Many of the decisions about what issues make the agenda of Florida’s 2014 legislative session have already been made, in large part due to special interest groups and a torrent of money flowing into the coffers of legislative political committees. Longtime lobbyist Bob Levy said money has always been a major part of what happens in Tallahassee, but the difference is the number of zeroes. “It existed then, but it was $50,000; today it’s $500,000,” said Levy.

Missouri – Small Number of Donations Fuel Missouri Political Spending

St. Louis Post-Dispatch – Walker Moskup | Published: 3/3/2014

From 2011 to 2013, more than half of the money raised by Missouri campaign committees – about $67 million – came from donations of $5,000 or more. Those larger donations represent about three percent of the total number of contributions. The absence of contribution limits in the state exacerbates the reliance on mega-donors, said Missouri State University professor George Connor.

Pennsylvania – D.C.-Based Democratic ‘Super PAC’ Sues to Remove Pa. Law Blocking it from Getting Corporate and Union Money

Harrisburg Patriot-News – Matt Miller | Published: 3/3/2014

A Washington, D.C.-based super PAC filed a lawsuit asking a federal judge to void a Pennsylvania law that is blocking its efforts to raise funds from corporations, associations, and unions in the state. The General Majority PAC contends the U.S. Constitution and a Supreme Court ruling grant it the right to solicit money from those sources to finance its political message during Pennsylvania’s legislative races this year.

Utah – Free Lunches, Receptions Abound for Utah Legislature

Salt Lake Tribune – Lee Davidson | Published: 3/3/2014

While events featuring free food remain a popular way to attract Utah lawmakers to hear lobbying pitches, they appear to be changing. The number of free lunches, which are expensive for sponsors, dropped by nearly half this year. Less-costly receptions nearly doubled. Still, special interests do not see free “wining and dining” disappearing any time soon. That is too bad, say groups who cannot afford that style of lobbying.

Virginia – Va. Moves to Tighten Ethics Rules, But Not Too Much

Washington Post – Michael Laris | Published: 3/1/2014

The Virginia House and Senate have passed different bills that address ethics reform. They will work on a compromise as the legislative session draws to a close, but neither bill addresses key loopholes. Lawmakers said it was more difficult than they expected to make far-reaching changes, in part because as they got into the details, they became concerned that imposing tough provisions could end up inadvertently criminalizing their own honest mistakes.

Wisconsin – Wisconsin Senator Seeks to Allow In-Session Lobbyist Checks

Milwaukee Journal Sentinel – Patrick Marley | Published: 3/4/2014

Recently introduced bills in Wisconsin would exempt political groups behind issue ads from disclosing donors and allow lobbyists to funnel donations to candidates. Senate Bill 655 would allow lobbyists to provide contributions on behalf of others to elected officials at any time. The bill also would move up the date on which lobbyists can personally give campaign contributions from June 1 to April 15 of election years.

State and Federal Communications produces a weekly summary of national news, offering more than 80 articles per week focused on ethics, lobbying, and campaign finance.

News You Can Use is a news service provided at no charge only to clients of our online Executive Source Guides, or ALERTS™ consulting clients.

 

Lobbying

“K Street gears up for Hillary” by Kevin Bogardus in The Hill.

“Groups Try to Mute the Comcast Lobby | K Street Files” by Kate Ackley in Roll Call.

Louisiana: “Former Jindal aide Rainwater looks to lobbying, consulting” by Michelle Millhollon in The Advocate.

New Jersey: “Lobbying expenditures climbed over $60 million in 2013, report finds” in PolitickerNJ.

Campaign Finance

“New Challenges to Campaign Finance Regulation” opinion piece by David Friedman in The Stanford Daily.

New York: “Women stump for campaign finance reform” by Casey Seiler in the Capitol Confidential.

Wisconsin: “Walker says he’s not focused on Republican bills affecting campaign donations, spending” by Scott Bauer (Associated Press) in The Republic.

Ethics

California: “Senate Democrats proposing revamp of campaign, gift laws” by Patrick McGreevy in the Los Angeles Times.

Campaigns and Elections

“Thought the Senate map was set?” by Jessica Taylor in The Hill.

“2014 Governors Races: A Look at the Too-Close-to-Call Contests” by Louis Jacobson in Governing.

South Carolina: “Cheers! SC Bill Aims to Lift Booze Ban on Election Day” by Drew MacKenzie in Newsmax.

Procurement

“Bringing Innovation to Procurement” by Justin Brown in Government Technology.

 

Lobbying

“Bottom Line” in The Hill.

“Wyden’s rise starts K Street bidding war” by Megan R. Wilson and Kevin Bogardus in The Hill.

“Hollywood’s Top Lobbying Group Is Sponsoring CPAC” by Nikki Schwab in U.S. News & World Report.

Campaign Finance

Florida: “More Ads in Florida Push Independent Expenditures above $7.5 million” by Kent Cooper in Roll Call.

Ethics

California: “California lawmakers report meals, sports tickets, other gifts” by Patrick McGreevy in the Los Angeles Times.

New Jersey: “Port Authority chairman hit with ethics complaint by NJ Working Families Alliance” by Steve Strunsky in The Star-Ledger.

Vermont: “Vermont House working on ethics rules” by Nancy Remsen in the Burlington Free Press.

Congress

“Snow Delays Senate Votes for Another Day” by Niels Lesniewski in Roll Call.

State Legislative Sessions

Florida: “A viewers’ guide to the 2014 Florida Legislature session” by Steve Bousquet in the Miami Herald.

Kansas: “Kansas lawmakers taking a break from session” by The Associated Press on KAKE News.

Utah: “Nine days remain in productive legislative session” by Billy Hextra in the Daily Herald.

Wyoming: “Bill on special legislative session to deal with fallout from Supreme Court decision dies” by Bob Moen (Associated Press) in The Republic.

Elections

Texas: “What to Watch in the Texas Primary” by Ross Ramsey in Governing.